Cyclones Defeat SDSU 2-1 to Open Season

BROOKINGS, S.D.- With just three minutes left in the game and the score tied 1-1, freshman Koree Willer was clutch with the game-winning goal as the Cyclones defeated South Dakota State 2-1 at Fishback Soccer Park in Brookings, S.D and advanced to 1-0 on the season.

After a slow start in the first half fellow freshman Lauren Roeling kick-started the Cyclones with the team’s first goal of the season during the 29th minute. She was assisted on the goal by Koree Willer and Adalie Schmidt.

A goal by the Jackrabbits in the 46th minute left the score tied 1-1 until the late game heroics of Willer. Willer was assisted by Madi Ott.

“Big performances from the freshman combined with stingy defending propelled us to the win today,” head coach Wendy Dillinger said. “Lauren Roeling made a tremendous back post run to finish a creative combination between Koree Willer and Adalie Schmidt for the first goal of the game. The sequence was the best attack of the game for us.”

Last season Lauren Roeling, Koree Willer, Madi Ott and Haley Murphy all played on the same club team during high school. In just their first game as Cyclones each of them made key contributions to the Iowa State victory.

Kourtney Camy and Alyssa Williamson limited the Jackrabbits offense allowing few good looks for the opposition. Goalkeeper Maddie Jobe played all 90 minutes for the Cyclones allowing just one goal. The Jackrabbits took five total shots against Jobe.

“Seniors Brittany Morgan and Margaret Powers were instrumental in shoring up the midfield for us and their play was a key in momentum and helping us keep the ball in our attacking half of the field,” Dillinger said.

The Cyclones will travel to Vermillion, S.D for the second half of their weekend road swing with a game at 1 p.m. on Sunday against the University of South Dakota. Results will be available on Cyclones.com after the conclusion of the game.